2.28.2011

Well this week just flew by. Not too much happened this past week. Those families that we were excited about actually gave us fake numbers and when we went by at our apointment one of them was peeking through the window but wouldn't open the door. I was so frustrated with them but I guess that is just a part of missionary work. Transfers are in about 3 weeks so we will see what happens. I have mixed feelings. I want to stay so I can baptize the Marinos and I love the ward but I also want to leave cause not much is happening right now. I guess we'll just wait and see.

This past week has been freezing. There were a couple days that it hit -40 but luckily it was before we went out in the mornings. We were tracting this past week in -38 C pretty often so needless to say it was cold. Today is really nice. It's about -8 so I'm not even wearing a coat. It's great.

We did get to meet with the Marino's this week and we had a great lesson. Still didn't come to church. We have another lesson with them this week and President and Sister Paulson are coming with us haha. I'm nervous to teach with them there but it should be really good. We invited them to come and they said they would love to. I'll let you know how that goes. haha.

I didn't know Matt was getting married that is exciting. I'm sure Kevin loved snowboarding. That sounds like alot of fun. There is a ski hill here but it is hilarious. I'll have to take a picture of it sometime. Go on Google and type in Spring Hill, Manitoba. Haha it only takes like 5 seconds to get down the hill. We are in the prairies that is for sure.

Our Bishop makes Orthodontic supplies for Orthodontists (like the braces and retainers and stuff) He made a mold of my teeth and made me trays for teeth whitening so that was way nice of him. He also gave me some bleach. and a replica of my teeth. He was talking about my cross bite and says that I don't need braces but I should have them to fix it. haha I don't really want braces. I might need it fixed though if I want to be an orthodontist.

Well not too much else to write about. Hope everybody has a great week and enjoy yourselves but don't have too much fun without me.

Love,

Elder Turner

2.21.2011

Well this past week has been long. I've been so exhausted and worn out lately but I keep moving forward. We weren't able to teach very much this past week which really bums me out becuase I love teaching. We have found a few people this past week in tracting in which we are excited about. We're meeting with a couple tonight that has a 5 week old and we are meeting with another family on Friday. Hopefully all goes well.

Sorry I didn't write yesterday, it was a holiday up here in Canada as well. It was Louis Reil day. Louis Reil was a hero here in Manitoba. He is a Metis (May-tee) man which means he is half native and half french. I'm not sure what he did but I know he was hung in Saskatchewan for being a traitor. Not sure why they honor him here but it was Louis Reil day in Manitoba and in all the other provinces it's called Family Day. There is a little Canadian History that you can log away somewhere.

This past week we drove all the way out to the Marinos (45 min away) and they weren't there. (BTW that just kinda was the tone for the whole week). But the bad thing was that that wasn't the worst things that happened. We called them and they didn't answer so we got out to put a note on the door and than we drove all the way back to the members house and they asked us to stay a little bit and have desert. Well I asked Elder Hall for the phone and he couldn't find it. Neither could I. Or the Members. It wasn't in our coats, in the car, or in their house. I used thier phone called the Marinos, and they answered (they had forgotten about the appointment and felt really bad) and she went outside and found our phone on their drive way. I had dropped the phone when I got out to go put the note on their door. I felt so stupid. Luckily the member let us borrow their cell phone and Sis. Marino had to come into the city (in our area) anyway so she brought it to us. We met her in the mall at Claires and her 5 year old was getting her ears pierced. I've never seen that before and it was weird. Just confirmed the fact that I will never have that done. (I also think its kinda gay...sorry Brian)

It's been cold. Very cold. haha I don't understand why people live here but they do. Don't get me wrong I love Winnipeg and I love the people but why would people live in such cold conditions. Alot of time we are knocking on empty houses cause "Canadian Snow Birds" go down to Texas/Arizona during the winter. This past week it has been in the -30's. Somebody told me it was 7 degrees C in Las Vegas when we knocked on her door. That made me feel great haha.

Lately I've had the desire to learn more about Joseph Smith and he is just a fascinating man. Our Bishop let me borrow a CD about Porter Rockwell that was really good and than another missionary let me borrow a 5 cd set about Joseph Smith by Truman D. Madsen. They are way good. I love learning church history cause it is just so interesting. We have a very great history.

Well sorry my Email is kinda boring. Hopefully I'll have more to write about next week. Keep it real and don't do anything stuipid (Kevin)

Love,
Elder Turner

2.14.2011

Howdy Y'all,

Happy Valentines Day. I kinda forgot that it was Valentines day which is probably a good thing becuase that means that I don't have anyone that I would need to know it for.

This Past week was pretty good. We're not teaching as much as we would like to but every minute we aren't out teaching were finding. We tracted for 19 hours this past week. They have been having us keep track of our proslyting hours to help us be more affective. I'm always tired and its hard work but it is definately worth it.

The Marino's didn't come to church. I don't know what else to say.

We are continuing to work hard though. Yesterday was Ward Conference and it was really good. We have such a great stake presidency and they taught pretty much all of church. President Baronins (second Counselor) was my Bishop in my very first ward here so It was good to see him.

The weather here has been super great. Today it is about -2 and yesterday it got in the positives. This warm weather is supose to last until thursday. I was kinda hoping for the end of winter but everybody tells me not to hold my breath.

Well not much else to write, the work is moving along and all is well here in Winnipeg. This area is starting to pick up so we'll just have to keep moving it along.

Love,

Elder Turner

2.7.2011

Hello Turner Family!!!

This past week was...good. I honestly don't have much to say. My companion and I are completely different but I guess we're not always going to be with people in life that are exactly like us so I guess I better just get use to it.

Our Bishop called us last night and was telling us about the Super Bowl. He was making fun of me because he saw the pictures of me eating Balut on Facebook. Louisa Olsen (My second Cousin) put them on facebook and Bishop said he almost threw up. haha I love our bishop. He's the best.

So I am super excited about having another nephew. Ha I knew it was a boy. I'm not usually allowed to know the potential names of the newborn because Kevin and I made fun of the last ones so much but Cami's mom sent me an email on accident saying the possible new name haha. Take that Cami! but I won't say it just to spite Kevin.

The Marino's weren't able to come to church on Sunday. Don't know why but after a while it gets though. I'm trying to be hopeful. I guess they just need more time. I get pretty frustrated lately. I just want them to do the things that will help them but I guess they don't see it that way. Hopefully we will be teaching them this week.

Sorry there isn't much to talk about today. I guess it just wasn't the best week I've had on my mission. Hope everybody is feeling better and keep up with the member-missionary work. It simply is the best way. The marino's are the result of member missionary work. And this guy is spanish which is great because they are very spiritually sensitive people. haha just ask Kevin.

Love,
Elder Turner

1.31.2011

So the big news: Transfers...I'm staying. haha We were all kinda shocked but I'm staying in the area which means I get to keep up with the members, investigators (Especially the Marinos) and I get to sing that stupid song in choir. Elder Mitton is going to an outlining area called Brandon and I'll be excepting Elder Hall. He's from St. George (i think) and I'm a little worried about it. He loves playing magic and spent most of his time by himself so he is a little socially awkward but we'll see how it goes. I was in Henderson area for 6 months and now I'll be in Munroe for 6 months, different wards but same building, which means I will have served in the London Chapel for a full year. Man! that is half of my mission but I'm excited to stay. This will probably be my last here.

So the Marinos weren't able to make it to church this week which was a real bummer because they havent' made it yet and they were for sure coming. They called us about 30 min prior and let us know that the dad really wanted to come but was out snowmobiling that morning from an overnight trip and was going really fast in order to make it out here and got a ton frost bite. The temp that morning in all of winnipeg was -46 C. They live kinda out in the country so it was probably colder and he was going fast. They are planning on coming next week and I'm trying to keep the faith but lately its been kinda difficult. I want them to come so bad because I know they'll love it. It just seems like everything is against them coming. We should be meeting with them this week and hopefully setting a date with them again. Pray for them.

Our talks yesterday went really well. Celeste (i'm not sure if I told you about her) spoke as well before us. She is a Recent Convert of about 2 months. She did great but was super nervous. By the way she doesn't know how to cook so I gave her all the recipes you guys gave me so she can learn and I gave her your number and email in case she had questions or wanted more recipes. Hope you don't mind. She is super great. I spoke on The importance of Preach My Gospel in our personal study (as members) and importance of Member missionary work and Elder Mitton talked on Learning and following the promptings of the spirit (especially in Member missionary work). The 5th sunday is what they call "Missionary Sunday" so everything was focused on missionary work. It was fun.

Oh forgot to mention. the other area in the ward is opening again so there will again be a devision. Pres. Paulson went to a Mission President Seminar and they talked about how they don't want so many outlining areas so they are closing quite a few and bringing them into the cities. There is actually going to be a tri-panionship with one of them being Elder Higginson (My MTC Companion). I haven't seen him since the start of my mission.

Mom, I know when and how to do my work. I went to BYU Hawaii!!! There are far more distractions there and How many F's, D's, or C's did I get? None. Don't worry about me.

Well not much else. I hope all is well and I hope everybody is in good health. Elder Mitton was throwing up last week. haha it was gross.

Love,
Elder Turner

1.23.2011

So, this week has been very busy. Fortunatley for me, I love being busy. We found quite alot of people this week to teach and we are really excited about them. Things are going really well which is kinda gives me mixed feelings becuse transfers are next week (we find out this friday) and before I kinda was ready to go but now I'm not so sure. We'll see though. Transfers are always an exciting time.

We were able to meet with the Marinos again and it was great. We invited them to be baptized and they expressed feelings that they wanted to make sure they would be committed to it so they want to start with littlier things first. We invited them to a church tour this wednesday and they will be coming. We are very excited about it. We gave every member of the family and called it thier "Blessing Jars". If they read they get a jewel if they pray they get a jewel, if they do each of those for a week they get a bigger jewel. If they have us over they all get a jewel. If they come to church they get a sea shell. The kids are really excited about doing it and the parents are catching the fire. We had a problem with them not really keeping their committments. We called them the other day and she said that every day the girls wake up and ask to say a prayer and to read. We are really excited to see them to start progressing. They are a super great family.

Not too much else to report on this week. Sorry. Elder Mitton and I have to give talks next week in church which could be the last week for one of us. I really love this ward (best of my mission) so it would be sad to go.

Mom, Justin said that they would figure out housing and all that. If Kevin can room with Matt than I can room with my buds. I know when to do my work and I'll be fine. Whether we room together or not we'll still be with eachother all the time so I'll save more time by not traveling (time that could be spent studying). Can't argue with that. haha Tony and J get home pretty soon. That is crazy to think about. I heard you tried to get President Paulson to release me on the 4th. That is ridiculous. I told him it would be fine if I went two days before school started. I guess he decided to give me a week (prob. because of you haha).

Well, Love ya all,
Elder Turner

1.17.2011

Mom, By the way you're too old to use LOL...just a side note

So this past week was a great week. Everything seems to be getting better here in the Canada Winnipeg Mission. We had a ton of appointments and that makes me happy because I love teaching. We also got alot of finding in last week and found some really great people. I'm excited to start teaching them.

As for the choir performance, it isn't until Feb. 20th or so. Transfers are on the 3rd and I'm pretty sure I'm leaving this transfer so I won't actually have to perform it. I'm actually really happy about that. It sounds good but it is just weird.

Alot of our investigators are just kinda floating around. Not too many are progressing. We're still working with them but alot of them require time and patience. Definately patience is something I've improved on since my mission. It's kinda required here.

The weather has been extremely cold this week. Yesterday we were out tracting in -34C. That is just too cold for me haha. Being on my mission has taught me never to complain about Las Vegas Winters again. I truely miss the heat.

Well not too much else to write about. We're working hard and keeping the area on a steady incline. The whole mission is improving which is great to see. Every area in our zone found at least 1 new investigator which has never happened for at least two years. Everyone is working really hard and its good to see. Oh and i got the family letter.

So we were teaching an appointment and the member we brought along told us it was his birthday on Saturday and invited us to stop by for some cake. He said it was an open house party and to come around 5. Well we did and that is when it went downhill haha. We knocked on the door and his wife answered and was dressed really weird (Spandex and a long sweater and weird 80's hair). We were the only ones there when this man and his wife. both dressed in weird 80's clothes. We had no idea what was going on. Than a few members of the church started showing up dressed in 80's clothes as well and come to find out they were having an 80's themed party. Weird but than they had 7 adults there and us and they needed 8 to play some murder mystery game but we can't play games like that so we ruined their game...woops. Than we had to leave (or wanted to) after about 30 min and they were playing some game so we told them we were leaving and they stopped the games and made everyone go to the kitchen to cut the cake and give us a piece. We left right after. That was honestly the weirdest meal appointment I've ever been too. Elder Mitton and I just kept giving eachother discerning looks cause we didn't know what was happening the entire night. haha Thought you'd like to hear that story.

well I love you all. Have a great week.

Love,
Elder Turner